From the brothels of post-Civil War-era St. Louis to the streets of New Orleans' Storyville, this episode traces the history of prostitution along the Mississippi River — and the endless tug-of-war between tolerance, regulation, and suppression that has defined it. We start with Eliza Haycraft, a remarkable St. Louis woman who arrived penniless by
Population (2010) 27,006 Introduction East St. Louis is often derided for its contemporary corruption (or perception of corruption), but the reality is that the city is in the shape it is today because of poor planning, exploitation by industrial interests, and corruption that began with the town’s founding. The
Population (2010) 54 History The village formerly known as East Burlington has long had a reputation as a place where folks could go to indulge in certain socially shunned behaviors, as long as they did it quietly. Founded in 1855 as the western terminus of the Chicago, Burlington, &
Population (2010) 25,663 Introduction Burlington was built in a bowl-shaped depression at the end of a ravine that opens up at the Mississippi. As the city grew, folks built up, over, and around the hills, expanding into the prairies that spread out from the bluffs. Visitors will find most of the
Population (2010) 27,592 Introduction Winona is an interesting blend of influences: blue-collar traditions mix with lively college campuses and a rich cultural scene. The city is now making plans to spruce up a neglected riverfront, to create something more befitting a city that is knee-deep in river history.
